Sponsor Software Computer Hardware/Software Requirements

Minute Menu HX is a client server application. As such, you can use more than one computer with the software, where one computer runs the Minute Menu database, and all other computers run the application and connect to that database. Most smaller agencies (with under 300 claiming providers) will typically run Minute Menu HX from only one machine. As such, we’ve split our hardware requirements into categories depending upon networking environment and size. Ranges indicate the difference between minimum and recommended requirements:

Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.
Not Supported: Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows Millennium, Windows NT, and older Windows versions.

Large Sponsor Notes: Large Sponsors (with 700+ Providers) will be required to purchase a license for SQL Server 2005, Standard Edition. This requires the Microsoft Windows 2003 Server or Microsoft Windows 2008 operating system. Both the operating system and the database software is available for non-profits at extremely discounted rates (prices vary, see vendors below). We recommend that Large Sponsors have a dedicated database machine for Minute Menu HX (that does not run the Minute Menu HX application), as they will see much better performance within the software. For those Sponsors with existing SQL Server 2005 systems, Minute Menu HX requires a SQL user with database ownership (dbo) privileges on the Minute Menu HX database. Very Large Sponsors (1200+ Providers) may be interested in purchasing a more enterprise-caliber database server, with at least a 3 drive RAID-5 hard disk array to maximize hard disk I/O performance. SQL Server 2000 is not supported for new HX installations. SQL Server 2008 is not supported at this time, but we intend to add support in the near future.

Scanners: OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) scanners are the scanners that read the forms that are scanned into HX. In order to be compatible with Minute Menu HX, the scanners must have a pencil read head (not an ink read head). These scanners come in several models that are compatible with Minute Menu HX:

OpScan6, OpScan4, InSIGHT4, OpScan3

The following scanner models are no longer manufactured but are usually compatible with Minute Menu HX if they have a pencil read head:

Sekonic SR-360, Sekonic SR-601, Sekonic SR-700

New scanners must be purchased through Minute Menu. Click here to view our pricing.

Printers: We do not support dot-matrix printers, except when printing checks. Inkjet, bubble jet, or laser printers are recommended, with speeds of 10ppm (for smaller Sponsors) to 30ppm or greater (for larger Sponsors). When evaluating the speed of a printer, consider printing claim reports: 3 reports of one page each (X) the # of claiming providers = the total number of pages needed.

Sponsor Internet Connectivity / Bandwidth

Dedicated Internet access is required in most cases for Minute Menu HX. This can be in the form of DSL, cable modem, wireless point-to-point, satellite/Direct-TV, or a dedicated telecommunication line like a T1. Below are ranges for required connectivity. If you plan on accessing Minute Menu HX off-site, you may need to greatly exceed these minimums.

Provider eClaiming: WebKIDS Hardware/Software Requirements

See the WebKIDS Users Manual for more information. In general, any Windows computer will work for WebKIDS. Internet Explorer 6.0+ is required. A printer will be required. Internet access of some kind is required; high-speed Internet access is recommended. Macintosh operating systems will only work if Virtual PC is installed, and then only the downloadable Minute Menu Kids software will function.

Sponsor LAN Firewall/Routing Configuration Requirements

The Minute Menu HX system transfers large amounts of information over the Internet via the Transfer Data function. To ensure your data remains completely secure, special encryption mechanisms are used, as well as specific Internet ports. These ports are typically open on an outbound basis, even when Firewalls are used. But any software or hardware Firewall in use must be configured to allow Minute Menu HX to communicate via the Internet. Please contact us for specific information on the ports used, and the connection types employed.

Software Discounts

Non profit agencies can typically acquire licenses for Microsoft Windows & SQL Server at highly discounted rates. For more information, check out either of the following:

• www.1computerbargains.com You can call Consistent Computer Bargains at 800-342-4222, ask for Kevin Rochol ext. 120
• www.techsoup.org You can also call Techsoup at (800) 659-3579 x700

For more information, contact us and we can send you a full interest packet describing the software in detail.